care for

verb

cared for; caring for; cares for

1

: to do the things that are needed to help and protect (a person or animal) : look after (someone or something)

She cares for elderly patients.

Who is caring for your son while you are at work?

2

: to feel affection for (someone)

I got the feeling he never really cared for me.

3

somewhat formal : to like or enjoy (something)

—often used in negative statements

I don't care for jelly beans.

I don't care for your tone of voice.

4

somewhat formal : to want (something)

Would you care for some pie?

Examples of care for in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Shedd Aquarium took in 10 of the 30 belugas and four dolphins stranded at Marineland, an Ontario park that closed years ago and could no longer care for them. — Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026

Five years later, their backyard project has blossomed into Petals with Promise, a nonprofit devoted to making people feel remembered and cared for. — Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Despite the rough start, Ung kept showing up for work, baking doughnuts in the early morning hours, then coming home to care for his grandmother. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 21 Sep. 2026

At times, only three officers have supervised and cared for 300-plus detainees. — Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 21 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for care for

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore
• heretofore